Supporting device



May 9, 1933.

W. H. ARMSTRONG SUPPORTING DEVICE HIS A TTORNEY May 9, 1933. w, H. ARMSTRONG 1,908,299

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Patented May9, 1933 UNITED 4.STATES WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG, PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 INGERSOLL- f Y RAND COIVIPANY, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A GORPORATIONQF NEW JERSEY y SUPPORTING DEVICE Application filed 'February 6, 1931. Serial No. 513,881.

This invention relates to supporting devices, but more particularly to a supporting device adapted for usein connection with a portable compressor apparatus to vsupport working tools of the type actuated by the pressure fluid supplied by the compressor apparatus.

One obj ect of the invention is to relieve the operator of a4 pressure actuated tool, such as a spike puller or percussive tool, of the work of supporting the weight of the tool.

Another object is to produce a simple and ycompact supporting device adapted to support a working tool or tools at points closely adjacent to the compressor apparatus or at points remote with respect thereto.

Other objects will be in part obvious and 1n part pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings and in which similar reference characters refer to `similar parts,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a compressor apparatus having the invention applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a transverse view taken through Figure 1 on the line 2-2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the compressor apparatus. Y

Referring more particularly to the drawings, A designates generally a portable compressor outfit comprising a platform B upon which are mounted a compressor C, its driving motor D and a receiver tank E into which the medium, such as air, compressed by the compressor C is conveyed by a discharge pipe F. Disposed at the same end of the platform B as the receiver tank E, and in this instance superimposed with respect thereto, is a tank- G to accommodate the fuel required for operating the motor D. z

Being of the portable type the compressor apparatus A is provided with flanged wheels H disposed on aXles J whereon the compressor apparatus rests, and the wheels H rest and are adapted to run on rails K arranged in parallelism to form a track in the customary manner, said rails K being secured to ties L by means of spikes O. y

As is well known, apparatus of the character to which the present invention pertains is used to a great extent'in connection With track Work or in such other linesof work where it is essential that the apparatus may be readily shifted about from one site to another. Moreover, apparatuses of this nature are generally used for supplying pressure fluid to pressure actuatedtools of the manually supported and guidedtypes, as for `instance, a spike puller designated by PA and which may be like that disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,771,712, granted to F. A. Jimerson, July 29, 1930.

Tools of this type are frequently of considerable weight so that the labor of shifting them from one spike to another throughout the course of the work may result in tiring the operatorrto such an extent that the tool is often operated at speeds muchbelow that of which it is capable. In view of the foregoing facts it is contemplated to relieve the operator of the burden of supporting the weight of tools. To this end the compressor apparatus A isprovided with tool supporting means designated generally by Q, and being in the form of a frame mounted upon the platform B.

VThe `tool supporting means comprises Va plurality of upright members or posts R arranged in` pairs on the opposite sides of the platform B and are braced by diagonal members S to assure rigidity ofthe posts R. *The posts R, as well as the diagonal members S,

may be of structural shapes and the diagonal members may be secured to the posts R in convenientmanner, as by bolts T.

Similarly, posts R located at the same ends of the platform B may be stabilized and supported by cross members U bolted tothe posts and, if desired, by diagonal members Y.' The means for bracing the posts B are-shown merely by way of example and-"it is'to be understood thatI any suitable and-well known means maybe employed? for-this purpose.-

Extending longitudinally of the compressor apparatus-and' preferably located on the outer side of each pair of posts Rare guide members W illustrated as being-in the form of pipes and as lyinginthe samevertical plane. The pipes are'prefe'rably lo- PATENT- oFFlcE. `i

any 1 to a considerable extent. The outer or free ends of each pair of arms which extend beyond the same end of the compressor apparatus may be conveniently connected by a lcross brace b secured to the arms Zvby U-bolts A The curved c, or othervvise, so that both arms Z of a pair may be simultaneously extended over the vvork or be retracted into the guide members lTo 'the end lthat the arms Z may be held Vagainst undue'iie'xion and possible distortion said 'arms are provided With guys d, as for instance, cables lWhich may be crossed With respect to each other and have one end connected to the cross brace b and the opposite end to a portion of the frame, such as the cross brace U. In order to assure an equal distribution of Weight to each guy of a pair,

vsaid guys may have interposed therein turnbuckles e.

n The 'arms Z, t'vvb ofvvhich may be included in each unit, may be in the form of pipes or ,rods f 'and ,serve as tracks for bea-rings or hangers jt). The hangers g, any suitable number of which may be disposed on each pipe f, ce'mprise in the present instance U-shaped straps k of which e'ach'leg is provided With anap'e'rture or bore 7c to receive trun'nions o of a sheave 79. The sheave p may, 'as illustrated, be provided With a suitable groove. Q to conform to lthe shape or curvature of the rod f upon vvhich it is adapted to run.

' Preferably the free ends r of the straps 71,

"are suitably braced With respect to each other,

asV for instance, by means of 'a bolt s which extends through the ends of the legs j and through a spacer t interposed between the legs u or U-shaped portion a of the hangers g serves as a seatfor a hook o of a spring w Which is connected With its opposite end or hook to a link y on the tool P. VThe spring w may be suitably calibrated to support the Weightk of the tool P in such wise that When the tool P is released by the operator-'the said tool Will be lifted clear of the Work by the spring fw, in the manner illustrated Amore particularly at e atth'e left hand end of Figure l. In this Way, when the tool P is released by the operator, the spring Vlw will immediately lift the tool to a position 'Where-in it tvill be held free of the track during the shifting of the apparatus from one position to another.

The spring fw may also serve as a means for maintaining the flexible supply line or hose 2 for the tool P in substantially the proper position. This may be accomplished by extending the hose 2 through thespring and the hose 2 may further be arranged in the space between the sheave '20 and the spacer 't of each bearing g. The opposite end of the hose l2 may be connected to a supply manifold 3 mounted in this instance upon a portion of the frame, such as the cross brace U and being" connected to the receiver tank eby a pipe 4.

Any suitable and Vconvenient means may be provided for maintaining the Iarms Z in the extended position. The means provided for this purpose consist of pins 5 extending' laterally through the guide members WV to form abutments for the inner ends of said arms.

In practice the present invention has been found to be extremely efficientY for use in connection With track and similar Work. It forms a convenient means for supporting the Weight of Working'tools and, when not required, the arms Z may be easily and quickly retracted into the guide members Wr and Will therefore not interfere with the close approach of the apparatus to obstructions such as building during other forms vof usage lthan that illustrated.

I claim:

l. A Wheel supported platform having mounted thereon means to provide a supply of pressure fluid, a frame thereon having members extendible beyond the limits of the platform and adapted to support a pressure luid operated tool, means'supported by the frame to conduct pressure fluidV from the source of supply to the tool, and means to permit supported movement of the tool along the extended frame members.

2. A Wheel supported platform having mounted thereon means to provide a supply of pressure fluid, aframe thereon lhaving members extendible beyond the limits of the platform and adapted to support a plurality of pressure fluid operated tools, means to conduct pressure fluid from the source yof supply to manifold connections kon the frame at leach end of the platform, and a plurality of flexible means supported by the extendible members for conveying pressure fluid to the tools.

3. A Wheel supported platform having mounted thereon means to provide a sup-` ply of pressure fluid, a frame thereon having members extendible ,beyond the limits of the platform and adapted to support a pressure Vfluid operated tool, means tof conduct pressure fluid from the source of supply to the tool, and means slidable on the Ve'z'cten'ded framemembers to suspend and guide the fluid conducting means and to support the tool. Y

4. A wheeled platform havin mounted thereon means to provide a supp y of pressure fluid, a frame thereon having members extendible beyond the limits of the platform and adapted to support a plurality of pressure actuated tools, a manifold at each end of the platform supported by the frame and having a plurality of outlet connections, means to conduct pressure uid from the source of supply to the manifolds, and a plurality of flexible means supported by the extendible members to conduct pressure fluid from the manifolds to the pressure actuated tools.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG. 

